Protective cake cover for maintaining the sanitary condition of a cake prior to consumption, the protective cake cover having a groove for inserting candles and a recess for storing a box of candles

ABSTRACT

A protective cake cover for supporting candles includes a hollow sidewall having an upper end and a lower end, a top cover wall extending across the upper end of the hollow sidewall to define a closed upper end of the protective cake cover, a groove formed in the top cover wall that is configured to support one or more candles that project above the top cover wall, and a recess formed in a central region of the top cover wall and surrounded by the groove, whereby the recess is configured to receive a box that contains candles. The groove has a circular, square, or rectangular shape, and the recess has a square or rectangular shape that is adapted to receive a box of candles that can be stored on the protective cake cover.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present patent application claims benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 63/031,028, filed on May 28, 2020, the disclosureof which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present patent application is generally related to cake covers, andis more particularly related to protective cake covers for maintainingthe sanitary condition of a cake.

Description of the Related Art

In addition, there remains a need for a party kit that includes acombination of a protective cake cover and a storage recess for a box ofcandles, whereby the protective cake cover and the box of candles may beshipped, stored and sold as a single party kit unit for simplifying theplanning and conducting of celebrations such as birthday parties.

Birthday, graduation, and retirement ceremonies typically involve arelatively large gathering of an honoree's family, friends, andassociates. In the case of birthdays, the celebration often culminateswith the attendees gathered around a cake singing a birthday song to thebirthday celebrant. The cake is often decorated and may include apositive message on the top surface of the cake. Candles are typicallyinserted into the top of the cake and are lit immediately prior tosinging the happy birthday song.

At the conclusion of the happy birthday song, the celebrant will oftenblow out the candles. In many instances, the celebrant will make a wishand seek to blow out all of the candles at once with one breath so thatthe wish may be granted.

Burning candles over the top of a cake and blowing out the candles byexpelling air through the lungs and the mouth combines to produce a veryunsanitary environment for the cake. The candle wax, which drips on thecake as the candles burn, may ruin the aesthetic appearance, texture andflavor of the cake. The act of blowing out the candles causes smallparticles of atomized saliva to be blown upon the cake, contaminatingthe cake with the celebrant's germs and bacteria. The highly unsanitaryact of blowing out burning candles on a cake is particularly concerningduring public health crises such as the Covid-19 pandemic of 2020.

Thus, there remains a need for a protective cake cover that maintainsthe cake in a highly sanitary condition prior to the cake beingconsumed.

There also remains a need for a protective cake cover that preventsdripping candle was from ruining the aesthetic appearance of a cake.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a protective cake cover for supporting candlespreferably includes a hollow sidewall having an upper end and a lowerend, a top cover wall extending across the upper end of the hollowsidewall to define a closed upper end of the protective cake cover, agroove formed in the top cover wall that is configured to support one ormore candles that project above the top cover wall, and a recess formedin a central region of the top cover wall and surrounded by the groove,whereby the recess is configured to receive a box that contains candles.

In one embodiment, the groove may have a circular, square, orrectangular shape, and the recess may have a square or rectangularshape.

In one embodiment, the hollow sidewall preferably has a circular,square, or rectangular shape for fitting over circular, square, orrectangular shaped cakes, respectively.

In one embodiment, the lower end of the hollow sidewall is open forreceiving a cake.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover is desirably round,cylindrical, square, or rectangular.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover is made of a polymermaterial such as plastic.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover is transparent or clear.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover preferably includes a boxof candles that are inserted into the recess formed in the centralregion of the top cover wall. The protective cake cover and the box ofcandles may be shipped, stored, and sold together as components of aparty kit.

In one embodiment, a cake is preferably disposed inside the hollowsidewall with the top cover wall overlying a top surface of the cake,and one or more candles may have lower ends inserted into the groove,whereby the upper ends of the candles project above the top cover wall.

In one embodiment, a protective cake cover for supporting candlespreferably includes a hollow sidewall having an upper end and a lowerend, a top cover wall extending across the upper end of the hollowsidewall to define a closed upper end of the protective cake cover, agroove formed in the top cover wall, a recess formed in a central regionof the top cover wall and surrounded by the groove, and a box of candlesdisposed within the recess formed in the central region of the top coverwall. The box of candles preferably contains one or more candles thatare adapted to be inserted into the groove formed in the top cover wallfor projecting above the top cover wall of the protective cake cover.

In one embodiment, the groove preferably has a circular, square, orrectangular shape, and the recess has a square or rectangular shape.

In one embodiment, a party kit desirably includes a transparent,protective cake cover including a hollow sidewall having an upper endand a lower end, a top cover wall extending across the upper end of thehollow sidewall to define a closed upper end of the protective cakecover, a candle receiving groove formed in the top cover wall, and arecess formed in a central region of the top cover wall and surroundedby the candle receiving groove.

In one embodiment, at least one candle may be disposed within the recessformed in the central region of the top cover wall. In one embodiment,the at least one candle preferably includes a plurality of candles thatare contained within a box of candles.

In one embodiment, the recess formed in the central region of the topcover wall has four opposing sidewalls, and the box of candles has foursidewalls that desirably engage the respective four opposing sidewallsof the recess for securing the box of candles within the recess.

In one embodiment, each of the candles has a lower end that defines anouter diameter, and the groove preferably has a width that substantiallymatches the outer diameters of the lower ends of the candles for forminga friction fit between the lower ends of the candles and the groove.

In one embodiment, the groove preferably has a circular, square, orrectangular shape, and the recess preferably has a square or rectangularshape that matches the shape of the box of candles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a protective cake cover having a hollowsidewall, a top cover wall, a candle receiving groove formed in the topcover wall, and a recess formed in the top cover wall that is surroundedby the groove, in accordance with one embodiment of the present patentapplication.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the protective cake cover shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the protective cake cover shown in FIGS. 1 and2.

FIG. 4 is a magnified view of a section of the candle receiving grooveshown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a magnified view of the recess shown in FIG. 2 with a box ofcandles stored in the recess, in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent patent application.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a protective cake cover having a hollowsidewall, a top cover wall, a candle receiving groove formed in the topcover wall, a recess formed in the top cover wall that is surrounded bythe candle receiving groove, and a plurality of elongated candlereceiving slots that are surrounded by the candle receiving groove, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present patent application,

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a protective cake cover having a hollowsidewall, a top cover wall, a candle receiving groove formed in the topcover wall, a recess formed in the top cover wall that is surrounded bythe candle receiving groove, and a plurality of candle receivingdepressions that are surrounded by the candle receiving groove, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present patent application.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a protective cake cover having a hollowsidewall, a top cover wall, a candle receiving groove formed in the topcover wall, a recess formed in the top cover wall that is surrounded bythe candle receiving groove, and a plurality of rows of candle receivingdepressions that are surrounded by the candle receiving groove, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present patent application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, in one embodiment, a protective cake cover 100is configured for protecting the sanitary condition of a cake andsupporting candles that project above the top of the protective cakecover.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover 100 preferably includes ahollow sidewall 102 having an upper end 104 and a lower end 106. In oneembodiment, the protective cake cover 100 desirably includes a top coverwall 108 that extends across the upper end 104 of said hollow sidewall102 to define a closed upper end of said protective cake cover 100.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover 100 preferably includes agroove 110 (e.g., a depression) that is desirably formed in the topcover wall 108. The groove 110 is preferably configured to support oneor more candles that project above the top cover wall 108.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover 100 preferably includes arecess 112 (e.g., a depression) that is formed in a central region ofthe top cover wall 108. In one embodiment, the recess 112 is desirablysurrounded by the groove 110. In one embodiment, the recess 112 isconfigured to receive a box of candles.

In one embodiment, the groove 110 may be a depression that is formed inthe top cover wall 108 of the protective cake cover 100. In oneembodiment, the groove may have a circular, square, or rectangularshape.

In one embodiment, the recess 112 may be a depression that is formed inthe top cover wall 108 of the protective cake cover 100. In oneembodiment, the recess 112 may have a square or rectangular shape. Inone embodiment, the recess 112 may have a shape that matches the shapeof a box of candles that is stored within the recess.

In one embodiment, the hollow sidewall 102 of the protective cake cover100 preferably has a circular, cylindrical, square, or rectangularshape.

In one embodiment, the lower end 106 of the hollow sidewall 102 ispreferably open and defines an open lower end 116 (FIG. 3) of theprotective cake cover 100 that is configured for receiving a cake.

In one embodiment, a cake may be passed through the open lower end 116for being disposed inside the hollow sidewall 102 of the protective cakecover 100 with the top cover wall 108 overlying a top surface of thecake. The lower ends of one or more candles may be inserted into thegroove 110 so that the upper ends of the candles project above the topcover wall.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover 100 may have a round,circular, cylindrical, square, or rectangular shape.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover 100 may be made of apolymer material such as plastic.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover 100 may be made of amaterial that is transparent or clear so that after the protective cakecover 100 is placed over a cake, the cake may remain visible through thetransparent or clear protective cake cover 100.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, in one embodiment, the groove 110 preferablyhas opposing sidewalls 118, 120 that define a groove with W₁ a widththat substantially matches the outer diameters of lower ends of candles(e.g., birthday candles) for forming a friction fit between the lowerends of the candles and the groove 110. As a result, candles may beinserted into the groove 110 for being held by the protective cake cover100 and projecting above the top cover wall 108 of the protective cakecover 100.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5, in one embodiment, the recess 112 preferablyhas four opposing sidewalls 122, 124, 126, and 128 that define the shapeof the recess 112. In one embodiment, the recess 112 has a length L1 anda width W2 that preferably matches the shape of a box of candles 130that are inserted into the recess 112. In one embodiment, the box ofcandles 130 preferably has four sidewalls that engage the respectivefour opposing sidewalls 122, 124, 126, and 128 of the recess 112 forsecuring the box of candles 130 within the recess.

Referring to FIG. 6, in one embodiment, a protective cake cover 200 isconfigured for protecting the sanitary condition of a cake andsupporting candles that project above the top of the protective cakecover.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover 200 preferably includes ahollow sidewall 202 having an upper end 204 and a lower end 206. In oneembodiment, the protective cake cover 200 desirably includes a top coverwall 208 that extends across the upper end 204 of the hollow sidewall202 to define a closed upper end of said protective cake cover 200.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover 200 preferably includes agroove 210 (e.g., a depression) that is desirably formed in the topcover wall 208. The groove 210 is preferably configured to support thelower ends of one or more candles that project above the top cover wall208. In one embodiment, the lower end of the groove is closed so thatambient air cannot flow through the top cover wall 208 into the insideof the protective cake cover 200.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover 200 preferably includes arecess 212 (e.g., a depression) that is formed in a central region ofthe top cover wall 208. In one embodiment, the recess 212 is desirablysurrounded by the groove 210. In one embodiment, the recess 212 isconfigured to receive a box of candles.

In one embodiment, the groove 210 may be a depression that is formed inthe top cover wall 208 of the protective cake cover 200. In oneembodiment, the groove may have a circular, square, or rectangularshape.

In one embodiment, the recess 212 may be a depression that is formed inthe top cover wall 208 of the protective cake cover 200. In oneembodiment, the recess 212 may have a square or rectangular shape. Inone embodiment, the recess 212 may have a shape that matches the shapeof a box of candles that is stored within the recess.

In one embodiment, the hollow sidewall 202 of the protective cake cover200 preferably has a circular, cylindrical, square, or rectangularshape.

In one embodiment, the lower end 206 of the hollow sidewall 202 ispreferably open and defines an open lower end 216 of the protective cakecover 200 that is configured for receiving a plate 225 that holds a cake(not shown).

In one embodiment, the plate 225 that holds a cake may be passed throughthe open lower end 216 for being disposed inside the hollow sidewall 202of the protective cake cover 200 with the top cover wall 208 overlying atop surface of the cake. The lower ends of one or more candles may beinserted into the groove 210 so that the upper ends of the candlesproject above the top cover wall.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover 200 preferably includes aplurality of elongated slots 235 (e.g., elongated depressions) that areadapted to receive the lower ends of candles that are positioned atopthe protective cake cover. In one embodiment, the plurality of elongatedslots 235 are surrounded by the groove 210. In one embodiment, theelongated slots 235 are preferably positioned around the outer perimeterof the depression 212 that is adapted to hold a box of candles. In oneembodiment, the elongated slots 235 may have different lengths. In oneembodiment, each elongated slot 235 may hold one or more candles. In oneembodiment, the elongated slots 235 may hold rows of candles that extendalong lines that are parallel to one another.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover 200 may have a round,circular, cylindrical, square, or rectangular shape.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover 200 may be made of apolymer material such as plastic.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover 200 may be made of amaterial that is transparent or clear so that after the protective cakecover 200 is placed over a cake and the plate 225, the cake may remainvisible through the transparent or clear protective cake cover 200.

Referring to FIG. 7, in one embodiment, a protective cake cover 300 isconfigured for protecting the sanitary condition of a cake andsupporting candles that project above the top of the protective cakecover.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover 300 preferably includes ahollow sidewall 302 having an upper end 304 and a lower end 306. In oneembodiment, the protective cake cover 300 desirably includes a top coverwall 308 that extends across the upper end 304 of the hollow sidewall302 to define a closed upper end of said protective cake cover 300.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover 300 preferably includes agroove 310 (e.g., a depression) that is desirably formed in the topcover wall 308. The groove 310 is preferably configured to support oneor more candles that project above the top cover wall 308.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover 300 preferably includes arecess 312 (e.g., a depression) that is formed in a central region ofthe top cover wall 308. In one embodiment, the recess 312 is desirablysurrounded by the groove 310. In one embodiment, the recess 312 isconfigured to receive a box of candles.

In one embodiment, the groove 310 may be a depression that is formed inthe top cover wall 308 of the protective cake cover 300. In oneembodiment, the groove may have a circular, square, or rectangularshape.

In one embodiment, the recess 312 may be a depression that is formed inthe top cover wall 308 of the protective cake cover 300. In oneembodiment, the recess 312 may have a square or rectangular shape. Inone embodiment, the recess 312 may have a shape that matches the shapeof a box of candles that is stored within the recess.

In one embodiment, the hollow sidewall 302 of the protective cake cover300 preferably has a circular, cylindrical, square, or rectangularshape.

In one embodiment, the lower end 306 of the hollow sidewall 302 ispreferably open and defines an open lower end 316 of the protective cakecover 300 that is configured for receiving a plate 325 that holds a cake(not shown).

In one embodiment, the plate 325 that holds a cake may be passed throughthe open lower end 316 for being disposed inside the hollow sidewall 302of the protective cake cover 300 with the top cover wall 308 overlying atop surface of the cake. The lower ends of one or more candles may beinserted into the groove 310 so that the upper ends of the candlesproject above the top cover wall.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover 300 preferably includes aplurality of spaced openings 335 (e.g., circular-shaped depressions)that are adapted to receive the lower ends of candles that arepositioned atop the protective cake cover. In one embodiment, theplurality of spaced openings 335 are surrounded by the groove 310. Inone embodiment, the spaced openings 335 are preferably positioned aroundthe outer perimeter of the depression 312 that is adapted to hold a boxof candles. In one embodiment, the spaced openings 335 have closed lowerends, whereby the lower ends of the respective candles abut against theclosed lower ends of the spaced openings. In one embodiment, each spacedopening 335 is configured to hold a single candle.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover 300 may have a round,circular, cylindrical, square, or rectangular shape.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover 300 may be made of apolymer material such as plastic.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover 300 may be made of amaterial that is transparent or clear so that after the protective cakecover 300 is placed over a cake and the plate 325, the cake may remainvisible through the transparent or clear protective cake cover 300.

Referring to FIG. 8, in one embodiment, a protective cake cover 400 isconfigured for protecting the sanitary condition of a cake andsupporting candles that project above the top of the protective cakecover.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover 400 preferably includes ahollow sidewall 402 having an upper end 404 and a lower end 406. In oneembodiment, the protective cake cover 400 desirably includes a top coverwall 408 that extends across the upper end 404 of the hollow sidewall402 to define a closed upper end of said protective cake cover 400.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover 400 preferably includes agroove 410 (e.g., a depression) that is desirably formed in the topcover wall 408. The groove 410 is preferably configured to support oneor more candles that project above the top cover wall 408.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover 400 preferably includes arecess 412 (e.g., a depression) that is formed in a central region ofthe top cover wall 408. In one embodiment, the recess 412 is desirablysurrounded by the groove 410. In one embodiment, the recess 412 isconfigured to receive a box of candles. The protective cake cover 400and a box of candles 130 (FIG. 5) may be sold together at a retailstore, a drug store, or an on-line store (e.g., as part of a party kitincluding a protective cake cover and a box of candles).

In one embodiment, the groove 410 may be a depression that is formed inthe top cover wall 408 of the protective cake cover 400. In oneembodiment, the groove may have a circular, square, or rectangularshape.

In one embodiment, the recess 412 may be a depression that is formed inthe top cover wall 408 of the protective cake cover 400. In oneembodiment, the recess 412 may have a square or rectangular shape. Inone embodiment, the recess 412 may have a shape that matches the shapeof a box of candles that is stored within the recess.

In one embodiment, the hollow sidewall 402 of the protective cake cover400 preferably has a circular, cylindrical, square, or rectangularshape.

In one embodiment, the lower end 406 of the hollow sidewall 402 ispreferably open and defines an open lower end 416 of the protective cakecover 400 that is configured for receiving a plate 425 that holds a cake(not shown).

In one embodiment, the plate 425 that holds a cake may be passed throughthe open lower end 416 for being disposed inside the hollow sidewall 402of the protective cake cover 400 with the top cover wall 408 overlying atop surface of the cake. The lower ends of one or more candles may beinserted into the groove 410 so that the upper ends of the candlesproject above the top cover wall.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover 400 preferably includes aplurality of spaced openings 435 (e.g., circular-shaped depressions)that are adapted to receive the lower ends of candles that arepositioned atop the protective cake cover. In one embodiment, theplurality of spaced openings 435 are surrounded by the groove 310. Inone embodiment, the spaced openings 435 are preferably positioned aroundthe outer perimeter of the depression 412 that is adapted to hold a boxof candles. In one embodiment, the spaced openings 435 have closed lowerends, whereby the lower ends of the respective candles abut against theclosed lower ends of the spaced openings. In one embodiment, each spacedopening 435 is configured to hold a single candle.

In one embodiment, the spaced openings 435 may are positioned inrespective rows 545A-545H that extend along axes that are parallel toone another. The rows of candle-receiving enhance the aestheticappearance of the protective cake cover because the candles may bearranged in neat, straight rows.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover 400 may have a round,circular, cylindrical, square, or rectangular shape.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover 400 may be made of apolymer material such as plastic.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover 400 may be made of amaterial that is transparent or clear so that after the protective cakecover 400 is placed over a cake and the plate 425, the cake may remainvisible through the transparent or clear protective cake cover 400.

While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention,other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised withoutdeparting from the basic scope thereof, which is only limited by thescope of the claims that follow. For example, the present inventioncontemplates that any of the features shown in any of the embodimentsdescribed herein, or incorporated by reference herein, may beincorporated with any of the features shown in any of the otherembodiments described herein, or incorporated by reference herein, andstill fall within the scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A protective cake cover for supporting candlescomprising: a hollow sidewall having an upper end and a lower end; a topcover wall extending across the upper end of said hollow sidewall todefine a closed upper end of said protective cake cover; a groove formedin said top cover wall that is configured to support one or ore candlesthat project above said top cover wall; and a recess formed in a centralregion of said top cover wall and surrounded by said groove, whereinsaid recess is configured to receive a box that contains candles.
 2. Theprotective cake cover as claimed in claim 1; wherein said groove has acircular, square, or rectangular shape, and wherein said recess has asquare or rectangular shape.
 3. The protective cake cover as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said hollow sidewall has a shape selected from thegroup consisting of circles, cylinders, squares, and rectangles.
 4. Theprotective cake cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lower end ofsaid hollow sidewall is open for receiving a plate or a cake.
 5. Theprotective cake cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein said protectivecake cover is round, cylindrical; square, or rectangular.
 6. Theprotective cake cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein said protectivecake cover comprises a polymer material.
 7. The protective cake cover asclaimed in claim 1, wherein said protective cake cover comprisesplastic.
 8. The protective cake cover as claimed in claim 1, whereinsaid protective cake cover is transparent or clear.
 9. The protectivecake cover as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a box of candlesinserted into said recess formed in the central region of said top coverwall.
 10. The protective cover as claimed in claim 1, furthercomprising: a cake disposed inside said hollow sidewall with said topcover wall overlying a top surface of said cake; one or more candleshaving lower ends inserted into said groove, wherein said one or morecandles have upper ends that project above said top cover wall.
 11. Aprotective cake cover for supporting candles comprising: a hollowsidewall having an upper end and a lower end: a top cover wall extendingacross the upper end of said hollow sidewall to define a closed upperend of said protective cake cover; a groove formed in said top coverwall; a recess formed in a central region of said top cover wall andsurrounded by said groove; a box of candles disposed within said recessformed in the central region of said top cover wall, wherein said box ofcandles contains one or more candles that are adapted to be insertedinto said groove formed in said top cover wall for projecting above saidtop cover wall of said protective cake cover.
 12. The protective cakecover as claimed in claim 11, wherein said groove has a circular,square, or rectangular shape, and wherein said recess has a square orrectangular shape.
 13. The protective cake cover as claimed in claim 11,wherein said hollow sidewall and said top cover wall are transparent orclear.
 14. The protective cake cover as claimed in claim 11, whereinsaid protective cake cover comprises plastic.
 15. The protective cakecover as chinned in claim 11, wherein said protective cake cover has around, cylindrical, square, or rectangular shape.
 16. The protectivecake cover as claimed in claim 11, wherein the lower end of said hollowsidewall defines an open end of said protective cake cover that isadapted to receive a cake.
 17. A party kit comprising: a transparent,protective cake cover including a hollow sidewall having an upper endand a lower end, a top cover wall extending across the upper end of saidhollow sidewall to define a closed upper end of said protective cakecover, a candle receiving groove formed in said top cover wall, and arecess formed in a central region of said top cover wall and surroundedby said candle receiving groove; and at least one candle disposed withinsaid recess formed in the central region of said top cover wall.
 18. Theparty kit as claimed in claim 17, wherein said at least one candlecomprises a plurality of candles contained within a box of candles,wherein said recess formed in the central region of said top cover wallhas four opposing sidewalls, and wherein said box of candles has foursidewalls that engage the respective four opposing sidewalls of saidrecess for securing said box of candles within said recess.
 19. Theparty kit as claimed in claim 17, wherein each of said candles has alower end that defines an outer diameter, and wherein said groove has awidth that substantially matches the outer diameter of the lower end ofsaid candle for forming a friction fit between the lower end of saidcandle and said groove.
 20. The protective cake cover as claimed inclaim 17, wherein said groove has a circular, square, or rectangularshape, and wherein said recess has a square or rectangular shape.